'Real Housewives' stars Teresa and Joe Giudice face new fraud charges

By Alan Duke, CNN

Updated 8:56 AM ET, Tue November 19, 2013

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Photos:'Real Housewives' stars with legal issues

Teresa Giudice and husband Joe Giudice, both of the "Real Housewives of New Jersey," pleaded guilty in March 2014 to multiple federal fraud charges, including conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and lying on mortgage and loan applications. Teresa was freed from prison in December 23 after serving 15 months; Joe began serving his 41- month sentence on Wednesday. Click through to see other "RH" stars who have found themselves in court.

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Photos:'Real Housewives' stars with legal issues

Kim Richards of the "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" is in trouble again. On August 2 she was arrested and accused of shoplifting from a Target store in the San Fernando Valley. The incident comes four months after she was arrested and accused of trespassing, resisting arrest and public intoxication. She went into rehab in June.

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Photos:'Real Housewives' stars with legal issues

Apollo Nida, husband of Phaedra Parks from "Real Housewives of Atlanta," was sentenced July 8 to eight years in prison followed by five years of supervised release "for conspiring to commit mail, wire and bank fraud." It seems that may have taken a toll on the couple's marriage; Parks has retained a lawyer with the intent to "amicably (end) her marriage," a rep for the reality star said.

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Photos:'Real Housewives' stars with legal issues

In May 2014, former "Real Housewives of New York" cast member Bethenny Frankel testified in court during a custody battle with ex-husband Jason Hoppy for their 4-year-old daughter, Bryn. That case was settled in June, but that's not Frankel's only courtroom trouble. According to The Hollywood Reporter, in 2012, Frankel settled a $100 million lawsuit over her popular Skinnygirl Cocktail brand after a management company accused her of cutting them out of the lucrative deal when she sold her company.

Jacqueline Laurita and her husband, Chris, were sued by the bank that held their mortgage on accusations of missing payments. The "Real Housewives of New Jersey" cast member has also been accused of owing state taxes.

"Real Housewives of Orange County" star Vicki Gunvalson dodged a legal bullet when a $250,000 breach of contract suit against her was dismissed in July 2013. But boyfriend Brooks Ayers didn't fare so well in the case, which accused Gunvalson of giving Ayers a percentage of a vodka business without informing her business partner. The portion of the suit against Ayers was not dismissed.

"Real Housewives of Atlanta" star Kim Zolciak was accused of being tardy with the money in March 2013 by fellow cast member Kandi Burruss and producer Don Vito. The pair accused her of denying them payment and rights to her single "Tardy for the Party." Zolciak released a statement denying the claims.

"Real Housewives of Orange County" star Gretchen Rossi was awarded more than $500,000 in damages after an ongoing legal battle with a man who claimed to have had a secret relationship with her. When Jay Photoglou sued her for libel and slander, Rossi countered with accusations including stalking, battery and emotional distress.

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Photos:'Real Housewives' stars with legal issues

She is no longer on "Real Housewives of Atlanta," but Sheree Whitfield made headlines when her own divorce attorneys sued her for lack of payment. They were eventually awarded a judgment.

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Photos:'Real Housewives' stars with legal issues

Micah and Peggy Tanous of "Real Housewives of Orange County" appear to be just the latest in a long line of cast members who have had financial woes. She was reportedly in dispute with three banks over her mansion.

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Photos:'Real Housewives' stars with legal issues

A former employee of "Real Housewives of New York" cast member Cindy Barshop's filed a discrimination charge against her in 2011. The woman claimed she had been fired from Barshop's Completely Bare salon because of her race, but the suit was eventually dismissed.

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Photos:'Real Housewives' stars with legal issues

Fans of "Real Housewives of Orange County" watched as Lynne Curtin and her family were served an eviction notice in 2009. That same year, TMZ reported that a bench warrant had been issued for Curtin and her then-husband, Frank, for a $1.2 million judgment issued against them.

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Story highlights

Teresa and Joe Giudice could spend decades in prison if convicted

The reality TV couple allegedly lied to get more than $5 million in loans over 8 years

The Giudices were initially charged by federal prosecutors in July

They both entered "not guilty" pleas in August to the original 39 counts

The reality TV couple could spend decades in prison if convicted on the 41 counts alleged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in New Jersey.

The Giudices allegedly faked documents and lied on applications to get more than $5 million in loans over eight years before they joined the "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" cast in 2009.

They both entered "not guilty" pleas in August to the original 39 counts, including conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, bank fraud, making false statements on loan applications, and bankruptcy fraud.

The husband and wife are due in court in Newark for the added charges on Wednesday, according to U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman. The new counts stem from a $361,250 mortgage loan that Teresa Giudice, 41, got in 2005, Fishman said.

"In the course of obtaining the loan, she and Giuseppe Giudice prepared a loan application which falsely stated that Teresa Giudice was employed as a realtor and that she had a monthly salary of $15,000," Fishman said. "Teresa Giudice was not employed outside the home at the time."

Giudice lawyer Miles Feinstein told reporters in August that the couple would not be testifying against each other in the case, which he said they expect to win.

Teresa Giudice, in a written statement released after she was charged in July, said she would stand by her man.

"Today is a most difficult day for our family," she said. "I support Joe and, as a wonderful husband and father, I know he wants only the best for our lovely daughters and me. I am committed to my family and intend to maintain our lives in the best way possible, which includes continuing my career. As a result, I am hopeful that we will resolve this matter with the government as quickly as possible."

The indictment accuses the Giudices of exaggerating their income by faking her employment history while applying for loans. They allegedly failed to disclose rental and business income after filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2009.

The indictment also charges Joe Giudice with failure to file tax returns for tax years 2004 through 2008, during which time he allegedly earned nearly $1 million.

The Giudices are free on $500,000 bond each, but they had to surrender their passports.

If convicted, the couple faces up to 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.